Gators Host Hokies Monday Night at 9 on SEC Network
Sunday, November 30, 2014 | Women's Basketball
The Florida Gator women's basketball team makes its SEC Network television debut on Monday, Dec. 1, when it hosts the Virginia Tech Hokies at 9 p.m. in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
Florida (4-1) will attempt to disrupt Virginia Tech's (4-2) flow, as the Hokies have won four of their last five contests.
The last meeting between the two programs occurred last season on Nov. 14, 2013, in Florida's first road game of the 2013-14 campaign, when the Gators fell to the Hokies, 71-59. Prior to that contest, UF and VT last faced off in the 1998 NCAA Tournament in Gainesville, Fla., where the hosts advanced to the Sweet 16 with an 89-57 rout of the Hokies.
The Gators are 2-1 all-time against the Hokies and seek their first victory over Virginia Tech under head coach Amanda Butler.
Quotes from the Court:
Florida Head Coach Amanda Butler
On the keys to her team earning their first road win on Friday at Georgetown:
“We weren't so concerned about what our assist column looked like. We were really concerned with our turnover column. We had a heart-to-heart conversation at half time about already having nine turnovers. That was something we wanted to do a better job of. Our main goal was to make sure we had less than 15 [turnovers]. Obviously, we played with a lot more composure and handled the basketball better in the second half and that made a big difference for us.”
Stat Watch
· Shooting percentage will play a major role in Monday's game and the edge might go to the Gators. In VT's two road contests, the Hokies have shot 51.4% (19-of-37) and 44.1% (30-of-68) from the field, respectively. Meanwhile, the Gators have shot 50% (94-of-188) in their three home contests.
Last Timeout:
· Carlie Needles scored 15 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had a season-high six assists, as she led Florida to its first road win of the season at Georgetown, 81-73.
· UF was able to get to the rim at will, as the Gators held a 38-22 advantage over the Hoyas in the points in the paint battle.
· After losing its opener at George Mason, Virginia Tech has won four of its last five games. The Hokies' lone loss during this streak came to Old Dominion.
Lace 'Em Up Late Night:
· The Monday night tilt with Virginia Tech will mark the latest start for the Gators since a 9 p.m. ET contest on Feb. 14, 2013, at Texas A&M. Trailing by 21 points, the Gators mounted a furious rally that came up short against the Aggies, 78-71.
Familiar Territory:
· Although Virginia Tech is no stranger to the O'Dome, this will be the first regular-season meeting between the Gators and the Hokies on Florida's home court. The last time VT visited UF was during the 1998 NCAA Tournament, when the No. 13-ranked Gators downed the Hokies, 89-57.
Holding the Series Advantage:
· UF has claimed two of its three previous encounters with Virginia Tech, including the NCAA Tournament matchup in '98. The Gators' first victory over the Hokies came on Dec. 20, 1995, to the tune of a 65-48 victory as part of the Woodlands Plaza/KVNA Classic in Flagstaff, Ariz. Current head coach Amanda Butler broke into the coaching ranks that year, as head coach Carol Ross hired her as an assistant coach at the start of the season.
High Octane:
· The Gators are third in the SEC, averaging 82.8 points per game, and sit second in the league in both free throw (.764) and field goal (.495) percentage. UF has shot over 50% in three of its four victories this season and has bested their opponent in field goal percentage in all five games on the year.
Tale of the Tape:
· In winning four of their five contests, Florida boasts a +17.2 scoring margin, outscoring its opponents by an average of 82.8 to 65.6.
Needles' Night for the Books:
· Redshirt junior Carlie Needles now sits eighth in UF history with 128 career three pointers after nailing 5-of-8 from long range at Georgetown. Needles leads the league in 3-point FG percentage (.609) and sits second in the SEC with 2.8 treys per game.
Look Out for Lorenzen:
· Freshman Haley Lorenzen recorded her second consecutive start for the Gators at Georgetown. In her last two outings, the Iowa native has posted points in double figures and collected a combined six rebounds, three steals and one assist. She went 12-for-20 from the field and 3-for-4 from the line on the week.
Florida (4-1) vs. Virginia Tech (4-2)
Stephen C. O'Connell Center (11,548)
Gainesville, Fla.
Mon., Dec. 1, 2014 * 9 p.m. ET
Game Notes (PDF)
· Florida: http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/women/stats/notes/pre/20141201210000.pdf
· Virginia Tech: http://www.hokiesports.com/wbasketball/notes/20141201.pdf
Game Coverage & More!
· Radio: LIVE on ESPN850 (WRUF-AM) in Gainesville with Adam Schick & Brittany Davis
· Internet Audio: LIVE thru www.GatorZone.com (FREE)
· Television: SEC Network with Carolyn Peck & Brenda VanLengen
· Internet Video: http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/2169373/Womens-College-Basketball-Virginia-Tech-vs-Florida
· Internet Scoring: Stat Broadcast
Opening Tip
· The Gators are 2-1 all-time against the Hokies and seek their first victory over Virginia Tech under head coach Amanda Butler.
· The last meeting between the two programs occurred last season on Nov. 14, 2013, in Florida's first road game of the 2013-14 campaign, when the Gators fell to the Hokies, 71-59.
For all of the latest information on Florida women's basketball:
Official Website: www.gatorzone.com/basketball/women
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FloridaWomensBasketball
Twitter: @GatorZoneWBK and @CoachButlerUF
Instagram: @gatorzonewbk
